Midseason SD Position Power Rankings: TE’s

Miles Pastian

September 24, 2022 @ 10:04 PM

Tight Ends in my view are some of the most underrated players that an offense can have simply for the fact that when they are in the zone, they can block like a lineman and play like top-tier wideouts, making their value something hard to measure. Let's look at some of the best TEs in South Dakota at the mid-way point through the year.     4. [player_tooltip player_id='360642' first='Gavin' last='Benck'] - Deuel   Benck might be undersized for the position but he uses that to his advantage and lands him at the number 4 spot. Benck is going to use his strength and create separation between himself and defenders that way along with his using some of the speed that he has in his bag. He might not be the best blocker at times but that is not what they need him to do, they need him to create separation between him and the defenders to get set up for great yardage. That being said when he needs to lay down blocks, he does it well and will not complain in any way when doing it. He knows what his role is at the position and does not complain about it. He shows a willingness to work and be coached, some of the biggest factors when it comes to college scouting. This lands him at the 4 spot and I hope to see him rise up by the end of the year.   3. [player_tooltip player_id='423290' first='Mitchell' last='Larson'] - Clark/Willow Lake   Larson might as well be a sixth offensive lineman with what he does for CLW and how he goes about it. He plays in what would be seen as a run-heavy offense and can block like no other. Larson has some great upper body strength and shows that when he needs to lay down some key blocks so his running game can get open. Make no mistake either, he can also become a formidable threat in the passing attack when the ball is aired out. Much like other plays in his spot, he does not complain about his playing time and will be brought in when his team needs him, making him someone who should be branded as a textbook team player. With Larson doing what he does, he is more than worthy of landing him at the 3 spot.   2. Aiden Foley - Harrisburg   Foley in my view is one of the best two-way tight ends that we see in South Dakota today and that ability gives him an advantage over the others when it comes to comparisons. Foley can do quite a lot when it comes to playing the TE position and he does both of those things well. When it comes to blocking he is an elite run blocker who can use some work when it comes to pass blocking as a whole, with times where he struggles to contain defensive edge rushers. He holds them off but could use some about stifling but the passing game that he is involved in is where he hits his stride. He is fast and creates separation to break away in the open field. Foley is someone that I am high on to start the year and I see him as someone who can improve his play by evaluating both sides of his TE game. This lines him up in the 2 spot on the list and with him most likely rising up the list as the year ends.   1. [player_tooltip player_id='273644' first='Sam' last='Siegfried'] - Sioux Falls Jefferson   We have coming in at two with someone who is really showing us why he is one the best receivers in the state period. He plays like he is some plays like a wideout and can run routes like one and can catch passes in just about any window that you try to throw to him in. He is a key piece to the SJF offense and how well they can use misdirection and the running game to their advantage and put him in motion to be a lethal weapon for his team. While he isn't a great blocker he does not need to be when his OL does his QB a service by keeping him protected and if they don't he can escape the pressure to find Siegfried. He is a complete player and someone who puts on a show when he is on the field, landing him as the best midseason TE.

Tight Ends in my view are some of the most underrated players that an offense can have simply for the fact that when they are in the zone, they can block like a lineman and play like top-tier wideouts, making their value something hard to measure. Let's look at some of the best TEs in South Dakota at the mid-way point through the year.